Nazareth Connection - Spring 2026

SR. FREDDIE

NAZARETH

SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH LEADERSHIP ROADRUNNERS

SERVICE LEARNING

MISSION

FAMILY

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SPIRIT SPRING 2026

DEAR NAZARETH ACADEMY PARENTS, ALUMNI AND FRIENDS, Spring invites us to reflect on renewal, growth, and connection— the relationships that continue to shape us long after our time at Nazareth Academy. Here, connection is not limited by years or geography. What starts at Nazareth connects us for a lifetime.

We are rooted in a shared mission of unity, a mission we proudly share with the Congregation of St. Joseph. This mission calls us to recognize our deep connection to one another and to all of creation, reminding us that we are part of something larger than ourselves—a community grounded in relationship and shared purpose.

A Nazareth education lifts up enduring values that continue to guide our lives: academic excellence, care for the earth, kindness, inclusion, and hope. These values are not taught in isolation but lived within a community that understands connection as essential to learning and to life.

At the heart of our mission is the belief that all of life is connected through God. This sacred bond invites us to see unity as a lived reality—one that calls us to act with compassion and responsibility.

We invite you to reflect on your own connection to Nazareth Academy and the ways it continues to shape who you are.

With gratitude and hope,

Deborah Tracy ’82 President

Therese Hawkins ’79 Principal

ALUMNI EVENTS March 27 | 6 p.m.

Oremus Media Center Naz Drama Alumni Gathering March 28 | 11 a.m.

R.J. Sanders Field Alumni Baseball Gathering April 13 | 6-8 p.m.

G.P. Italiano, La Grange Park Nazareth Alumni Bar Association Gathering April 15 | 5-7 p.m.

O’Rourke’s Public House in South Bend, IN Naz On the Road Alumni Gathering June 5-6 | Reunion Weekend Celebrating ’01 & ’06 classes Four Pillars Mass Athletic Hall of Fame Induction June 11 TBD Alumni Family Fun Event Scan the QR code for more details or email ccook@nazarethacademy.com

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The 51st annual WALK was a multigenerational success. Dennis and Oscar Moran ’29 (along with Casey ’01) helped to raise $183,000 to support Nazareth.

Service is an outstanding way for current students to connect to the broader community. Congratulations to Roxanne Stasch ’26, recipient of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Youth Service Award, our 18 junior and senior Young Community Changemakers, and 14 juniors and seniors who received Cook County Sheriff’s Office Service Awards.

“Let’s Not Talk About Anything Else” but how much fun we had with our Fall Musical, “The Addams Family.”

We are “Happy/Sad” because the sold-out weekend was an amazing example of Fine Arts Education and went by way too fast.

Our Girls Volleyball program completed their remarkable turnaround season with a 2nd Place in State trophy. These Roadrunners defied expectations all season long and made us incredibly proud. Congratulations ladies and thank you for bringing another trophy to Naz.

Nazareth’s mission as a college prep high school continues to flourish with 22 students earning 2025 academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Program.

The beautiful diversity of our student body strengthens our Pillar of Unity every day. Diversity Club found multiple ways to celebrate this richness, including a prayer service and pot-luck for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a week-long Multicultural Festival in January and Black History Month events in February.

Be sure to follow Nazareth Academy on Facebook or Instagram @NazarethLGP for the latest news.

Alumni can also join our Facebook group.

ALUMNI CONNECTION What begins at Nazareth connects us for a lifetime, professionally and socially. Whether it’s back on campus or out in the community, we are all Forever Roadrunners.

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1 | BRIDGE BUILDERS Before there were 5-time State Champions, there were the young men who secured Coach Racki’s first win and built the program. Class of 2005 teammates were back on Spirit Field this September.

2 | COLLEGE PREP Naz Guidance counselors hit the road to catch up with young alum Kitty Sandt ’23, Ava Distel ’25 and Olivia Mowrer ’25 at Clemson University.

3 | FOREVER FANATICS Freddie Fanatics co-founder Dom Purpura ’12 shared Naz Spirit with current Fanatics moderator Meg Gardner at the Named Scholarship Breakfast.

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4 | WOMEN IN BUSINESS Jennifer Krug McNaughton ’88 and Jody Krug-Schulte ’68 of K-Five Construction, spoke to our WIB club, sharing their professional experience and answering questions.

5 | GIVING BACK Thanks to the efforts of Rich DeMatteo (P ’10,’11 and ’14) the annual Toy Drive reconnects parents and alumni for a great cause. Thank you to the Fowler and Byczek families who were among those supporting Naz Service this year.

6 | LADIES WHO LUNCH The ladies from the Class of 1961 sure know how to stay connected.

Many are celebrating 69 years of friendship, as they attended both grade school and Nazareth together.

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7 | LIFELONG LEARNERS Kevin Skinkis ’94, Ryan Evans ’00 and Victoria Hansen Stockton ’00 are all School Superintendents. They connected at an education conference to start the school year.

8 | A SHARED MISSION Our everyday interactions with the Sisters of St. Joseph fill our mission with meaning. We celebrated with several Sisters and alum at our Founders Day Prayer Service.

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9 | TRIVIA NIGHT Our annual Trivia Night has become an Alumni tradition. In January, we welcomed 50 alums, ranging from the Class of 1972 through 2010. The Trailer Gym Kids Team (pictured) was from the Classes of 1998 and 2001.

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10 | ROADRUNNERS ARE EVERYWHERE Suzy Bares Anselmo ’90, Matt Anselmo ’90 and Susie Proteau Burns ’90 recognized fellow Roadrunner Gabriela Witowska ’27 while weekending in Lake Geneva.

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11 | FRIENDS AND FOES No matter how much their respective NFL teams battle each other during games, Julian Love ’16, JJ McCarthy and CJ West ’20 are all part of the same Naz Family.

12 | 1989 FOREVER No alumni gathering is complete without representatives from the Class of 1989 whose bonds remain strong almost 40 years after graduation. Many were on hand for the Alumni Social hour this fall.

13 | PIZZA, PIZZA, PIZZA Joe Dellacroce ’08 brought his GP Italiano Pizza oven to Nazareth’s Fall Kick Off Party - what a treat for Colleen Cook ’88 and the rest of the families that night.

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OUTSIDE OF TUITION, THE NAZ FUND IS THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR NAZARETH ACADEMY. THESE VITAL FUNDS DIRECTLY SUPPORT OUR ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AND HELP KEEP TUITION INCREASES TO A MINIMUM.

Year after year, the generosity of our community has helped Nazareth Academy become what it is today, an outstanding college preparatory school. In making a gift to Nazareth, you are making an investment in the school’s students, faculty, and staff, and the impact they will have on their communities and the world.

Your gift will support our talented students, regardless of circumstance, as we continue to prepare them to be leaders of tomorrow.

Donations can be made online at nazarethacademy.com or by scanning here:

You may also mail donations to:

Nazareth Academy Attn: Katherine Banasiak 1209 W. Ogden La Grange Park, IL 60526

How would you like your gift to make an impact?

I choose to support: Athletics and Extracurricular Activities Campus Ministry Classroom and Technology Enhancements Financial Aid Greatest Need

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

SAVE THE DATE There are countless reasons why Nazareth is a special community…from the amazing educators to the beautiful facilities to the clubs and activities. These reasons and many more provide an environment that educates the whole person. When you make a gift on Give Day, you celebrate our legacy and enable more Roadrunners to thrive from this incredible high school experience.

Mark your calendar to visit nazarethacademy.com on Thursday, April 23 as we kick off our eighth annual Give Day.

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Nazareth Academy 1209 W. Ogden Avenue La Grange Park, Illinois 60526 nazarethacademy.com

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FOREVER ROADRUNNERS The address has changed. The campus has evolved. The faces refresh every year. But, some key feelings remain.

What it means to be a Roadrunner is rooted in mission no matter when you attend. To prove that point, we asked Julie Ryan ’87 and Josh Montano ’27 the same set of questions. Their responses are excerpted here.

The full interviews with Julie and Josh can be found online by scanning the QR code below.

WHAT PILLAR DO YOU MOST CLOSELY IDENTIFY WITH? The Pillars are a little tricky; they’re like a table, if you take one away, your table will get wonky. All the Pillars need to be working at the same height, weight and given the same level of importance in order to live in balance correctly. That being said, there’s nothing a little Naz Spirit can’t fix.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CAFETERIA TREAT? I always liked the rectangular pizza that only came in cheese and grease flavored with a very flexible crust. I think it cost a dollar and it was only offered on Fridays. I brought my lunch every day and really coveted those who had that dollar for the cheese pizza.

One day, I always thought…

WHAT IS ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE NAZARETH ACADEMY? I hate to be unoriginal and use the same word everyone uses but, if you can’t say it’s a FAMILY, then I don’t know what else you could ever say.

Spirit is the one that resonates best with me. As an athlete I love when my peers come out to our baseball games, so to be able to do that for other sports and represent Nazareth Academy is one of the best things we can do. We show up for each other.

The Naz cookies!

Ever since freshman year, almost every activity period it seems like I’ve had a Naz cookie.

They’re way too good not to eat, definitely a must buy at Naz. TIMELESS